Accident with Entrapment on the Turnpike; 1 Flown

At 13:22 hrs (1:22 pm), Station 5 along with Medic 4-5 (Malvern) was dispatched to the east bound lanes of the Pennsylvania Turnpike at mile marker 3134 for an accident with reported entrapment.

Within seconds, Engine 5-2 and Ambulance 5-1 made the response. While enroute, Chester County Fireboard advised that additional 9-1-1 reports indicated that the accident was actually Westbound, which would make the call in St. 47 (Lionville) jurisdiction. St. 5 advised they would stage at a gate until the accident location was confirmed.

Chief 47 (M. Holmes) responded and arrived on location, confirming entrapment and multiple patients. He also requested that St. 5 proceed in to assist, and put a helicopter on standby.

The crew from Engine 5-2 and Ambulance 5-1 assisted with extrication and patient care, while Squad 5 took the Landing Zone (LZ) at a nearby maintenance shed.

Extrication was complete at 13:52 hrs (1:52 pm), and one patient was flown to Einstein Medical Center in serious condition with another patient grounded to Paoli Memorial Hospital (PMH) in stable condition.

Story by Mike Schon

Command: Chief 47 (M. Holmes)

Apparatus:

St. 4 (Malvern): Medic 4-5
St. 5: Engine 5-2, Squad 5, Ambulance 5-1
St. 46 (Downingtown): Ambulance 46-2, Medic 46-1
St. 47 (Lionville): Engine 47-2, Rescue 47
St. 87 (Uwchlan): Ambulance 87-6, Medic 87-2